Swim fin with adjustable web

ABSTRACT

A swim fin having a web portion pivotably attached to a shoe portion that Is rotatable to a first position substantially perpendicular to the shoe portion for walking and a second position in a plane with the shoe portion for propulsion in water.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to swim fins that have an adjustable web portionmoveable into a first and second position. More particularly, theinvention relates to a swim fins wherein the fins are adjusted so theuser can walk with the fins in the first position and swim in water withthe fins in the second position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally, swim fins are adapted to provide propulsion of the userin water. When wearing swim fins the user typically has difficultywalking on hard surfaces, land, the beach or a boat because of the size,shape and flexibility of the swim fin.

The prior art addresses issues relating to propulsion in water as seen,for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,814,640. The patent describes a swim finwith a segmented web portion with an array of spaced apart slotsoriented along the web portion. The slots contain support membershingedly supported thereon to provide movement in the water therebypropelling the user. U.S. Pat. No. 6,893,307 describes an ergonomic swimfin with channeling scoops on either side of a foot pocket and aflexible blade web portion. At the tip of the web portion a wing shapedtail fin is pivotally attached to aid in the propulsion of the user.

It is desired to have a swim fin that has a foot portion and a pivotallymounted web portion for movement into a first position for walking and asecond position for propulsion in water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The swim fin of the present invention advantageously provides a swim fincomprising a foot portion and a web portion. The web portion ispivotally attached to the foot portion. When the web portion is placedin a first position, for walking, the web portion is substantiallyperpendicular to the foot portion and provides for facile movement onland and hard surfaces. With the web portion in the second position andextending outwardly from the foot portion, the swim fin is capable ofpropelling the user in water.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved swimfin device having an adjustable web portion.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a swim fin withan adjustable web portion that pivots from the sides of a shoe.

It is also another object of the present invention to provide a swim findevice that allows the user to place the web portion in one position forwalking and a second position for propulsion while the user is swimmingin water.

These and other objects, features and advantages will be betterunderstood from the following description of the preferred embodimentsof this invention, when taken in conjunction with the followingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of a swim fin of the presentinvention with dotted lines showing resilient means embedded in the webportion of the swim fin.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an embodiment of the present inventionillustrating a foot portion and web portion engaged for use by a swimmerin water for propulsion.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a locking mechanism for securing aresilient means attached to the foot portion for engaging the webportion in a second position for swimming by the user.

FIG. 3A is a top view of a locking mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the foot portion of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the resilient means of an embodiment ofthis invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present inventionwherein the web portion is pivotally attached to the foot portion in afirst position perpendicular to the foot portion thereof allowingwalking by the user while wearing the swim fin.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present inventionwherein the foot portion and web portion are engaged in a secondposition for allowing swimming by the user in water.

FIG. 8 is a cross section of the web portion at the dotted lines 8-8 inFIG. 1.

FIG. 9A is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention showinga foot portion.

FIG. 9B is a cross section taken at lines 9B of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention showingpivoting means located on either side of the foot portion mid-waybetween the front and rear of the foot portion.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a foot portion of one embodiment of thepresent invention showing a pivoting means and flexible means located onthe side of the foot portion mid-way between the front and rear of thefoot portion with dotted lines showing flexible means of the side of theshoe.

FIG. 12 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention havinga foot portion with an enclosed heel, dotted lines showing pivot and achannel for flexible means within the side of the shoe and analternative locking mechanism for engaging the web portion.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present inventionshowing the fin in a second position for swimming by the user with analternative locking mechanism securing the fin to the shoe.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present inventionshowing an alternative locking mechanism wherein the web is pivotallyattached to the foot portion in a first position perpendicular to thefoot portion allowing walking by the user while wearing the fin.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present inventionshowing a shortened flexible means in the shoe and an alternativelocking mechanism wherein the web is pivotally attached to the footportion in a first position perpendicular to the foot portion allowingwalking by the user.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present inventionshowing shortened flexible means in the shoe and web and an alternativelocking mechanism wherein the web is pivotally attached to the foot in afirst position allowing walking by the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which various embodiments ofthe invention are shown. Unless otherwise defined, terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one with ordinary skillin the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used inthe practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods aredescribed below. In addition, materials and methods given areillustrative in nature only and not intended to be limiting.Accordingly, this invention may be embodied in different forms andshould not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments setforth herein. The illustrated embodiments are provided solely forexemplary purposes so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete. Other features and advantages of the invention will apparentfrom the following detailed description, and from the claims.

FIGS. 1-16 illustrate embodiments of a swim fin 10 comprising a footportion 12 and a web portion 14. The foot portion 12 has shoe 16 forreceiving the foot of the user with raised implements 18 on the floor ofthe shoe for supporting the user's foot and for providing a grip forfacilitating movement. The term “shoe” is used herein with reference tothe foot portion 12 is intended to include any structural arrangementwhich permits the user to secure the swim fin to the foot. For example,a “shoe” in the foot portion may be a compartment of sufficient size totherein receive the forward portion of a user's foot, and havingconnected thereto securing means 20 around the heel of the user's foot.This and other arrangements as understood by skilled workers in the artfor securing the swim fin in contact with the foot are intended to beincluded within the meaning of the term “shoe” as employed herein andrecited in the claims.

The heel of the user's foot is held in place by securing means 20.Securing means 20 can be any arrangement or device for securing theuser's foot in shoe 16. It may comprise material that encloses the heeland foot or wraps around the back of the user's heel. Preferably, thesecuring means is an adjustable strap 22. However, the use of theadjustable strap is not intended to be unduly limitative.

The web portion 14 of swim fin 10 includes a resilient upper member 30embedded in the web portion 14 as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1.Resilient member 30 has extensions 32 and 34 which pass through arms 36and 38 of web portion 14. Engaging extensions 32 and 34 is a lateral arm40 which is a cross member of resilient member 30. The lateral arm 40 isexemplary of any piece known in the art for engaging extensions 32 and34. It may be rounded, semi-circular, or have square or ninety degreecorners. The upper member 30 is embedded in web portion 14 as well asextensions 32 and 34 in arms 36 and 38, respectively. Indeed, theresilient member 30 is preferably constructed of one piece of resilientmaterial as shown in FIG. 5. Lateral member 40 may be a portion ofresilient member 30, for it is not required to be a separate piece. Inaddition, resilient member 30 is not required to have lateral member 40if separate legs or members are sufficiently functional for the purposeof supporting the web portion 14 as shown in an alternate embodiment,for example, as in FIG. 16. The resilient material includes upperresilient member 30 which engages general pivot members 42 and 44 whichsecure lower resilient member 46 to the shoe 16 and to upper resilientmember 30. The lower resilient member 46 has extensions 48 and 50. Theresilient members 30 and 46 are made from a flexible spring-likematerial such as metal, for example, flexible steel, or plastic. Thematerial must be flexible for the upper resilient member must pivotabout ninety degrees to be operational. The lower and upper resilientmembers meet at joints 52 and 54 with pivot members 42 and 44 allowingthe resilient members 46 (lower) and 30 (upper) to pivot. The resilientmember is preferably one continuous piece of the spring-like material.When the spring-like material is relaxed, the web 14 is in the firstposition for walking by the user. When the spring-like material is in afolded or compressed state, the web 14 is locked to the shoe 16 in asecond position for swimming by the user. It may preferably be wrappedaround joints or bolts 52 and 54, included in pivot members 42 and 44.Upper resilient member 30 passes through channel 30A in web portion 14,as shown in FIG. 8. Lower resilient member 46 passes through channel 46Ain foot portion 12.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 7, 9A and 9B, lower resilient member 46 is embeddedin a first side 60 and second side 62 of shoe 16. Lateral covers 64 and66 protect the lower resilient member 46 as it extends along theperimeter of the shoe up to the toe portion 68. Lower resilient member46 is also exposed between toe placements 70 and 72 so that the exposedportion 74 of the lower resilient member 46 is available for furtheruses and applications. The lower resilient member 46 extends throughchannel 46A under lateral cover 64 to joint 52.

The exposed portion 74 may be rounded or have corners. It generallyfollows the curvature of the toe 68 of the shoe 16. The toe portion alsocontains aperture 76 for receiving the exposed portion 74 and tongue 78of locking mechanism 80. The locking mechanism assembly 82 is attachedto the top of web portion 14 adjacent aperture 76. When the web isrotated on pivot members 42 and 44 and joints 52 and 54 to the secondposition for swimming, aperture 76 is aligned with tongue 78 of thelocking mechanism. The pivot members may be placed on each side of theshoe. The location of the pivot members on the side of the shoe 16 maybe in any location allowing for the pivoting or rotation of the web 14from a first position to a second position. Slide 84 is pushed forwardso tongue 78 enters aperture 76 engaging lower resilient means 48against the top of the aperture. Slide 84 can be activated by springs 86or a similar mechanism. As shown in FIG. 7, the swim fin is locked inthe second position for swimming use. As added support for the webportion 14, platform 88 extends forward from the toe portion 68. Theplatform supports the web portion 14 when the user moves the swim fin inthe swimming motion.

FIG. 6 shows the web portion 14 in the first position, wherein the webportion is substantially perpendicular to the foot portion 12. Theflexibility of the upper resilient member 30 and the action of the pivot54 allows the upper resilient member 30 to be placed in a relaxedposition when the web 14 is in the first position substantiallyperpendicular to foot portion 12. Force must be used to rotate the webportion 14 via the pivot means 42 and 44 and joints 52 and 54, whereinthe resilient member engages joints 52 and 54 to move it into the secondposition for swimming. A locking mechanism 80, when engaged, prohibitsthe upper resilient means 30 from rotating into its rest position orfirst position.

An alternate embodiment is shown in FIG. 11 wherein joint 52 and pivot54 are located at a midway position on the first and second sides 60 and62 of the shoe 16. The position of the joint and pivot may allow forfacile movement or rotation of the web portion 14.

An alternate locking mechanism 90 is shown in FIGS. 12-16. Thealternative locking mechanism is attached to the toe 68 on its lowerfront side for receiving the inside periphery 14A of web 14. In FIG. 12,locking mechanism 90 is designed as a lip 92 and is rounded to match thecontour of toe 68 with a base 94 attached or molded from the samematerial as shoe 16, which may be any conventional material, forexample, rubber or plastic. The concave inside wall 96 of the lip 92runs along the outside of toe 68. The outside wall 98 has a smoothsurface and is curved to match the contour of the inside wall and toe.Shoulder 100 is formed in the lower side of the outside wall forengaging inner periphery 14A and top of web 14, when the web is rotatedto the second position for swimming as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. Lockingmechanism 90 may be made from the same material as shoe 16 or may beconstructed of different conventional materials and attached to theshoe. Lip 92 is sufficiently flexible to allow web 14 to slide over theoutside wall for fitting the inside periphery 14A of the web undershoulder 100. The web has an outside perimeter defining the outside edgeof the fin 14 and the inside periphery 14A which is the inside edge ofthe fin contoured to the forward portion of the shoe 16. In thisembodiment, a locking mechanism on web 14 is unnecessary as well asaperture 76 in shoe 16. While any locking mechanism may be utilized inthe invention so as to secure web 14 in a first position for swimmingmay be utilized, the previously described embodiments of lockingmechanisms are preferred.

In FIG. 15 a shortened lower resilient member 110 is shown as beingwithin first side of shoe 60. The shortened resilient member readilyfunctions when alternative locking means 90 is utilized.

FIG. 16 shows a shortened upper resilient member 112 extending into arms36 and 38 of web portion 14. The shortened resilient members 110 and 112are replaceable and can be easily removed from web portion 14 and shoe16. They can be easily replaced if necessary by removing joint 52 andinserting the members in respective channels in arms 36 and 38, channels30A and 46A and shoe 16.

In operation, the user's foot is placed in shoe 16, and the conventionalsecuring means 20 or strap 22 are utilized for holding the foot in theshoe. For walking on hard surfaces, the web 14 is placed into the firstposition wherein the web portion is substantially perpendicular to theshoe. The web is merely rotated to this position or it may rotate intothe first position by the action of the resilient member, preferably aone piece flexible spring having an upper resilient member placed in web14 and a lower resilient member 46 placed in shoe 16. Preferably, theresilient member is secured around joints 52 and 54 to pivot web 14 froma first position for walking and a second position for swimming. Forplacement into the second position, web 14 is rotated to toe 68 of shoe16 where it is secured by a locking mechanism. The fin is then in thesecond position for propelling the user in water.

Typical embodiments have been described in the drawings andspecification. Specific terms have been used; however, the terms areused in a descriptive sense only and are not intended to be limitative.The invention has been described in considerable detail with specificreference to the illustrated embodiments. It will be apparent, however,that various modifications and changes can be made within the spirit andscope of the invention as described in the foregoing specification andas defined in the appended claims.

1. A swim fin comprising a foot portion, a web portion, pivotably attached to the foot portion, means for pivoting the web portion into a first position and a second position attached to the foot portion wherein the means for pivoting the web portion have an upper resilient member associated with and placed in a channel in the web portion and a lower resilient member associated with and placed in a channel in the foot portion the upper and lower resilient members are one element and means for engaging the web portion in the second position
 2. The swim fin of claim 1, where the foot portion has a first end, a second end, a toe, and first and second sidewalls, and the means for pivoting the web portion is attached to the first and second sidewalls.
 3. (canceled)
 4. The swim fin of claim 2, wherein the means for pivoting the web portion further includes joints on the first and second side walls of the foot portion. 5-11. (canceled)
 12. The swim fin of claim 1, wherein a locking mechanism is utilized to secure the web portion to the foot portion in a second position for providing propulsion in water.
 13. The swim fin of claim 8, where a portion of the lower resilient member is exposed in a channel in a toe of the foot portion.
 14. The swim fin of claim 13, wherein the locking mechanism includes a locking tongue on said web portion for engaging the exposed lower resilient member.
 15. The swim fin of claim 14, wherein the locking tongue engages the exposed lower resilient member on the toe of the shoe portion to maintain the web in the second position.
 16. The swim fin of claim 12, wherein the web portion includes an inner periphery and the locking mechanism engages the inner periphery of the web to maintain the web in the second position.
 17. The swim fin of claim 1, wherein the web portion is pivoted in the first position, substantially perpendicular to the shoe portion to allow walking by the user.
 18. A swim fin comprising: a foot portion for holding the foot of the user with a toe extending forwardly on the foot portion, the foot portion having first and second sides, with a channel running therethrough for holding a lower resilient member, an aperture at the toe of the foot portion allowing the lower resilient member to be exposed in said aperture; a web portion connected to the foot portion by pivoting means and having channels for holding an upper resilient member and a locking mechanism for engaging the lower resilient member in the aperture on the toe of the foot portion.
 19. The swim fin of claim 18, wherein the locking mechanism includes a locking tongue for slideably engaging in the aperture of the toe and exposed lower resilient member to hold the web in a position for swimming by the user.
 20. The swim fin of claim 18, wherein the locking tongue of the locking mechanism is not engaged into the aperture of the toe of the foot portion, thereby allowing the pivot means and upper resilient means to rotate the web in a position for walking by the user.
 21. A swim fin comprising: a foot portion, a web portion, pivotably attached to the foot portion, means for pivoting the web portion into a first position and a second position, wherein the means for pivoting the web portion have an upper resilient member associated with and placed in a channel in the web portion and a lower resilient member associated with and placed in a channel in the foot portion the upper and lower resilient members are one element and a lip attached to the foot portion for engaging the web portion in the second position
 22. The swim fin of claim 21, wherein the lip is attached to the toe of the shoe.
 23. The swim fin of claim 21, wherein the web portion includes an inner periphery and the lip is rounded to match the contour of the toe and the inner periphery of the web portion.
 24. The swim fin of claim 23, wherein the lip includes an outer wall having a shoulder for engaging the inner periphery of the web portion for securely holding it in a second position for swimming by the user.
 25. The swim fin of claim 24 wherein the outer wall includes a sloping surface to engage the inner periphery of the web portion to slide thereover. 26-27. (canceled)
 28. The swim fin of claim 21 wherein the foot portion has a first end, a second end, a toe and first and second sidewall, and the means for pivoting the web portion is attached to the first and second sidewalls of the foot portion.
 29. The swim fin of claim 28 wherein the means for pivoting the web portion further includes joints on the first and second sidewalls of the foot portion. 30-33. (canceled) 